[?] Statutory Powers

For Moresby Tac

Residents Not Civic-Minded

From Our Own Corresponclem

Moresby, Feb. 5

HHE Chairman of Port Moresby’s L Town Advisory Council, Mr.

E. A. James is fighting a lone attle to give the Council statutory Dwers.

His idea is that the Council should dw be constituted along lines milar to the Canberra Advisory ouncil with certain members ected —but on the three occasions tat the matter has been raised he as not won a single member to Ls way of thinking.

It is hard to see what the ob ctions are but Mr. John Ahearn probably correct when he said iat the apathy of residents during le Legislative Council elections akes it certain that it would be farce if mere municipal elections ere staged.

Territorians, and Moresby resi dents in particular, show scant re gard for civic affairs. This is a tragedy, because they are great critics and if their criticism were properly channelled it would probably do a great deal of good.

Other items of interest (which were dealt with at the last TAG meeting were: A report from the police com missioner recommended the pro vision of safety zones at various bus stops in the town. This was approved by the Council.

A sub-committee was formed to list commodities which are in short supply because of embargoes on ex port from Australia. The list will then go to the Government Secre tary who will be asked to appeal to the Commonwealth Government for “leniency.”

A list of tentative street names for the new Boroka suburb, pre pared by the Gov. Sec’s department was presented and approved. The name's are based on territory town

ships such as Daru, Madang.

Sohano, etc.